About
Ephesus, known in Turkish as Efes and in older guides as Ancient Ephesus, is one of the best-preserved ancient cities anywhere in the world. It lies near the town of Selçuk in İzmir Province on Turkey's Aegean coast, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What you will see
The site is best known for a few landmarks that give the visit its shape:
- The Library of Celsus, whose stone façade is one of the most photographed sights in the city.
- The Great Theatre, a large open-air auditorium set into the hillside.
- The ruins of the Temple of Artemis, the sanctuary that once stood here.
Beyond these, the streets, columns and public buildings give a clear sense of how Greek and then Roman architecture shaped daily urban life. Because so much of the site survives, it works well as a walk through a whole city rather than a single monument.
Planning your visit
Ephesus is an outdoor site, so it suits a visit in good weather and comfortable shoes, as the paths are long and largely stone. Allow time to walk the main street and to take in the theatre at your own pace. The site is easy to reach from Selçuk, a small town that makes a convenient base for the day.
For the address and contact details, the site lies at Atatürk, Efes Harabeleri, 35920 Selçuk, İzmir, and can be reached by telephone at +90 232 892 6940.
